The Impressive TimesDiu, May 22: If you are not a Gujarati, there is a big chance Diu never came up in your conversation. Probably never after your geography lessons in school.
But it’s all going to change now thanks to Khelo India Beach Games 2025 (KIBG). It won’t be wrong to say that the games organised by the Government of India have brought Diu back into the national consciousness.
The first step however was taken last year by the local authorities as for the first time in India a multi-sports beach event was held – at the same Ghoghla beach in Diu which, to all intents and purposes, has a lot to offer besides the beach games.
The Union Territory has a big coastline and has some really great beaches like Nagoa and Ghaghola. The latter is now immortalised in Indian sports history for first hosting the Diu Beach Games and now the KIBG.
“From a tourism perspective, KIBG will spotlight the natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique coastal charm of Diu. It is expected to draw national attention, increase footfall from visitors across India, and promote our UT as a preferred beach and sports tourism destination,” said Dr Arun T, the secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Dr Arun T added: “On the sports front, the Games will serve as a catalyst to popularize beach and water sports among local youth, encourage grassroots participation, and foster a culture of fitness and excellence. The infrastructure developed for the event will leave a lasting legacy, enabling us to host more such events in the future and provide year-round training opportunities.”
There are also many places like St. Paul Church, Naida caves, Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple, Diu Fort and Panikota fort — but to name a few — for sightseeing purposes. One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Somnath temple is not far either from here.
The Union Territory was colonised by the Portuguese for centuries just like Goa so their famous architecture is all around for you to drink in. Diu is part of the Kathiawad region and is famous its cuisine. Methi thepla, bajra na rotlo, adadiya pak are some of the popular local food items.
Prasanna Bendre is a renowned name among the locals in Diu having brought laurels in Pencak Silat, one of the events at KIBG 2025, at the international level. He really hopes these games go a long way towards promoting tourism in Diu and as a result towards boosting its economy. “That will be good for us. Better economy will help all sports and the infrastructure,” he said.
Sana and Parveen, who belong to the Siddi community, were part of the thousands of spectators that thronged the Ghoghla beach on Monday evening. Siddis are the descendants of Africans who travelled to India and settled here several centuries ago. Much like everyone else, Sana and Parveen too believed the ongoing games were going to help the UT with tourism. “We want more and more people to come to Diu. Not just Gujarat but also from the other parts of the country. It will help the economy,” Parveen said.
“We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the Beach Games and to leverage this initiative to create long-term benefits for our athletes, citizens, and the region’s economy,” said Dr Arun T.
There are six sports which are being contested at the KIBG. These are beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach kabaddi, pencak silat, sepak takraw and open water swimming. Besides there are two demonstration sports in mallakhamb and tug of war. More than 1300 athletes from 31 states and UTs of India have flocked to Diu to participate in the games from May 19-24.
No coastal place in India attracts tourists, local as well as overseas, as much as Goa but of late it has lost some of its appeal for it has got expensive and overcrowded. Powered by the beach games, Diu can certainly benefit from that.
For more on Khelo India Beach Games 2025 : https://beach.kheloindia.gov.in/
For Khelo India Beach Games medal 2025 tally: https://beach.kheloindia.gov.in/medal-tally
ON KHELO INDIA BEACH GAMES
This is the first Beach Games conducted under the Khelo India banner. The Games are being held under the vertical of sports competition and talent development of Khelo India Scheme from May 19 to May 24, 2025 in Diu, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. This initiative aims to promote beach sports and to enhance the reach and popularity of the Beach Games. In this edition, there are six medal sports: Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Pencak Silat and Open water swimming. Two (non-medal) demonstration sports: Mallakhamb and Tug of war have also been included in Diu.
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How will the Khelo India Beach Games boost tourism and sports development in the region?
The Khelo India Beach Games represent a transformative opportunity for our Union Territory. Hosting these prestigious Games will significantly boost both tourism and sports development in the region.
From a tourism perspective, the event will spotlight the natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and unique coastal charm of Diu. It is expected to draw national attention, increase footfall from visitors across India, and promote our UT as a preferred beach and sports tourism destination.
On the sports front, the Games will serve as a catalyst to popularize beach and water sports among local youth, encourage grassroots participation, and foster a culture of fitness and excellence. The infrastructure developed for the event will leave a lasting legacy, enabling us to host more such events in the future and provide year-round training opportunities.
We are committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of the Beach Games and to leverage this initiative to create long-term benefits for our athletes, citizens, and the region’s economy.
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